Colorado Springs native Tara Thomas’ journey to director of Bemis School of Art illustrates her hardworking nature, and the creative path of a true art lover.
Thomas has developed the Military Artistic Healing program for veterans and active duty military, and actively works with local organizations focused on at-risk youth.
“I’ve...

This year, a record 12,422 students enrolled at UCCS are hoping to earn a bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate degree at the 52-year-old university.
In 1976, Susan Szpyrka was just like them — a student working toward a degree. Now she has two from the school and has worked at UCCS...

Rising to the top was always a goal for Danielle Summerville, executive director at Big Brothers Big Sisters Colorado, but what sets her apart is her devotion to lifting others up with her.
“Innately I’ve always just wanted to strive for the top,” Summerville said. “... I always felt like...

Jennifer Dodd is in the business of influencing the younger generation — whether that’s at work or on her own time. The graduate of Widefield High School finds plenty of ways to give back to the community, and says it feels natural after so many helped her achieve success.
For...

Chicago native Lola Woloch doesn’t believe in doing things halfway. She’s all in or not at all — and that philosophy and drive has led the Southern Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce to success after success.
The CEO of the women’s chamber has a long history of business wins. An...

Two days after Lauren Hug moved to Colorado Springs, she was volunteering at the Pikes Peak Small Business Development Center to assist those affected by the Waldo Canyon fire. Hug, who founded the marketing and integrated communications company, HugSpeak, had just moved from Austin, Texas, and was in contract...

In the 20 years that LexisNexis legal editor Jane Ard-Smith has lived in Colorado Springs, she’s witnessed many changes in the political, environmental and community landscapes. She’s also been a driving force behind some of them.
Between serving as board chairwoman at Citizens Project, which is celebrating its 25th year,...

Rose Durham’s love of helping others started early. When her family emigrated from Norway, she was a young girl, but spoke English well and soon became the spokesperson for her family.
“I remember my mother crying and reading the family Bible,” she says. “Looking back, I think what incredible sense...

Kasia King is inspired and motivated by the bravest people in her life — her parents.
“We came here in 1981 as martial law was going into Poland,” she said. “My parents escaped and took me with them. … I can’t imagine the courage it took to leave your family,...